A Dog Funeral

While doing research on Balto several years ago, my name and email address had been exposed to a certain organization. As a result, I was invited to a memorial event for Balto. Granted that Balto is a dog known throughout the world for having saved the lives of numerous people, it’s no wonder people make a big deal out of it. However, I received an invitation from someone to whom I am not that close to attend her dog funeral/memorial service, knowing that I am very interested in dogs.

Placing a picture of the considerably cute little dog on her office desk, the owner of the dog talks about how cute it was when it was alive. She commemorated the dead dog while talking about some of the examples of how the dog comforted her by playing charmingly after sensing that she was not in a good mood whenever she came home. As people began exchanging drinks, the place turned into a place where people boasted about their own dogs. Since I didn’t know the dog owner or the dead dog and those present as well, I just sat there in the corner and observed the dog funeral/memorial service. It was quite interesting experience at best.

Not only that, one of them even made a suggestion toward the close of the meeting. He suggested that they give a small offering to the homeless dog center to remember the dog meaningfully and eternally. At first, I doubted my ears. I thought mindless people were doing weird things. In retrospect, it was a clear reflection of the American culture. Under the excuse of the dog’s death, and in consideration of the reality that people living in the Silicon Valley are busy working and have no occasions to meet with others, they somewhat forcefully made a time and a place to exchange greetings and comfort each other during a less busy evening. To take it even a step further, they suggested that they leave a legacy which is the hallmark of the American culture.

A few days ago, the father-in-law of Deaconess Kim Bok-Sook, whom I used to treat as an older sister at church passed away. Even though I didn’t know him well personally, I decided to actively help out with the funeral proceedings since he had served at the church where I serve as an ordained deacon. On this occasion, I intend to put a final touch to the funeral ministry I have been planning on doing and launch it. Thankfully, Deaconess Kim and her husband and their in-laws understand and kindly accept the stipulations I have made to them.

A funeral ceremony is a time to commemorate the deceased, and through funeral proceedings the bereaved are comforted, and what not. If I could add one more thing to the above-mentioned reasons, it would be that a great opportunity is opened for those who are close to one another to gather at one location through the funeral/memorial service. Considering the fact that even same Christians don’t have the opportunity to set their feet in other churches, and except in their own, and that 70 to 80% of Koreans don’t go to church at all, funerals are the only way for them to attend church. On their way to heaven, those who have passed away give a good gift in the form of a sermon, a part of the funeral, to those who haven’t heard the gospel before.

I made another difficult request to Deacon Kim, the eldest son, and his younger siblings. Since the person who passed away had served as president or a staff member in different organizations such as Shake-Hands Society, Association serving the elderly, Oryunhoe (A society to promote the five moral disciplines in human relations), etc., he was quite well-known in this city. Since the funeral proceedings would be watched by many people, it was very hard for me to make requests to the children of the deceased. My request was to make all the funeral proceedings simple, not to unnecessarily use an expensive coffin, and to keep the funeral expenses minimal in accordance with the wishes of the deceased. My request was that they break away from the Korean culture, in which it is desirable to do an expensive and grand funeral for the dead as well as the children, and instead leave a legacy that will be remembered eternally. Deacon Kim consented to my request and even agreed to give a designated offering for the sake of the silver ministry.

There are people who do good things while they do dog funerals/memorial services. I bow to Mr. Kim who made his departure winsome as a Christian, as a figure respected by the community and to his children.